Youth and Credit: Protecting the Credit of Youth in Foster Care

This guide provides a step by step process for adults working with young people in foster care to implement the credit check requirement authorized through federal legislation in 2011. This provision requires that child welfare agencies check the credit reports of young people in foster care who are 16 and older to identify and fix any inaccuracies in their credit history. The guide recommends that adults use the requirement as an opportunity to educate young people about the threat of identity theft and the importance of establishing good credit, as well as to help young people leave foster care with clear credit histories.